Firelog grate for retaining fire starters

ABSTRACT

A firelog grate for retaining fire starters is disclosed. The grate has a front member and a rear member connected together by a transverse bars to form a cradle for holding firelogs. Pairs of legs extend down from the underside of the cradle and firelog retaining projections extend upward from the upper surface of the cradle. The grate includes at least one shelf that is connected to and lies beneath the underside of the cradle. The shelf includes a strut which has a cross-sectional shape configured to interlock with a groove in the bottom surface of a fire starter. When the fire starter is interlocked with the strut, it is held a spaced distance underneath the firelog to be ignited.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to firelog grates. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a firelog grate for use inassociation with artificial firelogs. Specifically, the inventionrelates to a firelog grate that includes an area for supporting firestarter logs and that is additionally configured to burn an artificialfirelog in both an aesthetically pleasing and efficient manner.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Firelog grates have been used for a long time to support firelogsabove the floor of a hearth. The gap between the hearth floor and thegrate allows for air to circulate beneath the firelogs and also allowsash to drop away from the burning logs. This assists in maintaining aircirculation around the logs and helps prevent the flames from beingsmothered by the ash. Typically firelog grates have been manufacturedfrom a number of intersecting iron bars that form a cradle for holdingthe firelogs. The end bars are bent to form legs for the grate.

[0005] Wood logs have traditionally been burned to both generate heatand create ambiance in the room with the fireplace. One of the problemsencountered with using wood in a fireplace, however, is that it isfairly difficult to get the wood to burn. Typically, small pieces ofwood, known as kindling, are used to start the fire. Larger logs need tobe chopped into smaller logs to make kindling and this can be bothproblematic and time consuming for the homeowner. It has recently becomefairly common to use small wax and sawdust based artificial firestarters to aid in igniting the wood logs. Suitable fire starters are ofthe type such as those sold under the STARTERLOGG brand manufactured bythe Conros Corporation of Don Mills, Ontario Canada. Current designs offirelog grates have not accommodated the introduction of fire starters.The homeowner has to place the fire starters on the bars of the fireloggrate grate and then stack the wood logs over the fire starter. Thehomeowner has to be sure to provide space around the fire starter toallow air to circulate or the fire starter will not burn. A match orlighter may be used to ignite the fire starter and the burning firestarter causes the wood logs to catch fire.

[0006] Many homes now have natural gas heating and wood burningfireplaces that are no longer used. Recently, however, there has been amovement toward burning artificial firelogs instead of wood logs tocreate the ambiance of a wood log without the difficulty of starting thefire and the related messy cleanup. The artificial firelogs are made ofa mixture of wax and sawdust and they are covered with a paper wrapperthat is not only designed as packaging, but is also used as the wick forcombustion. The fire may be started by lighting a corner of the paperwrapper, and as the wrapper rapidly burns away from around the firelog,it causes the wax in the firelog to ignite. In order for the artificialfirelog to burn easily, an air layer needs to be maintained between thefirelog and the paper wrapper. If the paper wrapper contacts thefirelog, both the paper and the firelog are slow to ignite and the rateof combustion is greatly slowed down. Traditional firelog grates do notaccommodate the use of artificial firelogs in combination with firestarters inasmuch as the artificial firelog must be placed directly ontop of the fire starter. This causes the paper on the bottom of theartificial firelog to be pushed into contact with the log itself,thereby squeezing air from between the firelog and the paper wrapper.Additionally, placement on top of the fire starter tends to smother theflame on the fire starter and hinder the ignition of both the paperwrapper and the artificial log. Additionally, as an artificial firelogreaches the end of its burning capacity, it begins to fall apart,creating a flare-up of the chemicals and materials of which it iscomposed.

[0007] There therefore exists a need in the art for a firelog grate thatallows for the use of a fire starter in conjunction with wood logs orartificial firelogs and that allows for a more efficient combustion ofthe logs. Furthermore, there exists a need in the art for an improvedfirelog grate the assists in controlling the rate of combustion andbreakup of artificial firelogs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of thebest mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles,are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawingsand are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in theappended claims.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of a firelog grate in accordance with thepresent invention, the grate being shown as used in a fireplace;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the firelog grate in accordancewith the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a top view of the firelog grate of FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 3A is a top view of the firelog grate of FIG. 2, showing anoptional bracket attached to the struts;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a front view of the firelog grate of FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of the firelog grate of FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 5A is a side view of the firelog grate of FIG. 2 showing theoptional bracket connected to the strut;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of a fire starter to be used inassociation with the firelog grate;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of the fire starter of FIG. 6;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a front view of the fire starter of FIG. 6;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the fireloggrate holding an artificial firelog and fire starters therein;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a front view of the firelog grate of FIG. 9;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a side view through 12-12 of FIG. 10;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the fireloggrate with firelog showing the fire starter being lit;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a side view of the firelog grate of FIG. 12 with theflames beginning to consume the front face of the paper wrapper of theartificial firelog;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a side view of the firelog grate and firelog with thefire starter fully burning and the front the firelog burning;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a front view of a second embodiment of the fireloggrate in accordance with the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 16 is a side view of the second embodiment of the fireloggrate shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a fireplace or firebox 28built into a wall 30. A firelog grate, generally referred to by thenumber 32, stands on the floor 34 of the fireplace 28. Grate 32 isadapted to support at least one firelog 36 therein. Firelog 36 may beeither wood logs or artificial firelogs. Grate 32 is further adapted tohold at least one fire starter 38 beneath logs 36 so as to assist in theignition of firelogs 36. Fire starter 38 is preferably manufactured froma combination of wax and sawdust.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, there is shown a first embodiment ofgrate 32. Grate 32 comprises a front member 40 and a rear member 42connected together by a plurality of parallel, spaced apart transversebars 44. Front member 40, rear member 42 and bars 44 may be manufacturedas solid metal castings formed of cast iron for example and thesecomponents are welded together to form a cradle or platform forsupporting firelogs 36 thereon. Alternatively, grate 32 may bemanufactured of bent steel stock. As will be understood by those skilledin the art, front and rear members 40, 42 and bars 44 may be connectedby any other suitable means such as rivets, nuts and bolts etc. Theinterconnection between front and rear member 40, 42 and bars 44provides a stable and strong structure for holding firelogs 36.

[0029] Front member 40 is a generally U-shaped member that has an uppersection 46 with a leg 48 extending downwardly from either end. Uppersection 46 also includes two U-shaped segments 50. U-shaped segments 50are integrally formed with upper section 46. Segments 50 extenddownwardly from upper section 46 in the same direction as legs 48. Whilethe preferred embodiment has two U-shaped segments 50, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that one U-shaped segment orthree or more U-shaped segments may be provided in front member 40without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore,any other suitably shaped segment—such as a V-shaped segment may beutilized. Additionally, while the legs 48 are shown as extendingdownwardly from either end of upper section 46, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that legs 48 may be provided at other positionsalong upper section 46.

[0030] Rear member 42 has an upper section 52 with a leg 54 extendingdownwardly therefrom in a similar matter to front member 40 Extendingupwardly from upper section 52 are a series of rounded U-shapedprojections 56. Projections 56 are preferably integrally formed withupper section 52 and they are adapted to engage the rear surface of afirelog 36. This assists in preventing firelog 36 from rolling off grate32. Projections 56 each define a space 57 therein and the spaces 57allow some air to circulate around firelog 36. While projections 56 areshown to be a rounded U-shape, they may, of course, be manufactured inany other aesthetically pleasing shape. While legs 54 are shown asextending downwardly from either end of upper section 52, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that legs 54 may be provided atother positions along upper section 52.

[0031] Transverse bars 44 are spaced at regular intervals between rearmember 42 and front member 40. Bars 44 are metal made from cast iron,steel stock or the like. They are generally an open J-shape when viewedfrom the side (FIG. 5). Bars 44 have a wider flat first section 44 a anda long narrower second section 44 b. First section 44 a rests on uppersection 52 of rear member 42 and is preferably welded thereto. Secondsection 44 b has a straight portion 55 and an upwardly angled portion57. Straight portion 55 rests on and is preferably welded to uppersection 46 of front member 40. Angled portion 57 extends forwardly offront member 40 and is upwardly angled with respect to front member 40so that firelogs 36 cannot accidentally roll off grate 32. Bars 44 arepositioned in such a manner that a gap 60 is formed between each pair ofadjacent bars 44. Gaps 60 allows some air to circulate between bars 44.When assembled together, the rear member 42 with its upwardly extendingprojections 56, front member 40 and bars 44 with their upwardly angledportions 57 form a cradle or platform onto which a firelog 36 may beplaced. While the first section 44 a of bars 44 is shown to be generallyflat and wide and the second section 44 b is longer and narrower, anyother suitable configuration may be used without departing from thespirit of the present invention. Additionally, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that while the legs are shown to be integrallyformed as part of front member 40 and rear member 42, the legs couldalternatively be mounted on the underside of bars 44 or a combination ofbars 44 and front member 40 and/or rear member 42.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4-8, interposed between pairs of adjacent bars44 are two generally L-shaped struts 62. Struts 62 include a long leg 62a and a shorter leg 62 b. An end of long leg 62 a is welded or otherwiseconnected to U-shaped section 50 of front member 40. The shorter leg 62b is welded or otherwise connected to upper section 52 of rear member42. An additional U-shaped bracket 64 may be welded to two adjacent bars44 and to the long leg 62 a of strut at a point spaced away fromU-shaped section 50. Bracket 64 provides additional support to strut 62.The combination of the strut 62, U-shaped segment 50 and, if provided,bracket 64, forms a shelf that hangs below the firelog-receiving surface68 formed by bars 44. Shelves 66 are adapted to receive a fire starter38 therein.

[0033] Fire starter 38 is manufactured from a mixture of wax andsawdust. Starter 38 is formed with a groove 72 therein and the groove isconfigured to the shape of strut 62. When fire starter 38 is positionedon shelf 66, groove 72 interlocks with strut 62 and is thereby preventedfrom slipping off shelf 66. Additionally, the upwardly extendingsections 75 of U-shaped segment 50 and of bracket 64, if provided,assist in preventing fire starter 38 from sliding off shelf 66. Whilestrut 62 is shown as being generally square in cross-section, it may beof any cross-sectional shape desired. If a differently shaped strut 62is used, groove 72 is configured to have the same shape so that firestarter 38 and strut 62 are able to interlock.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 9-14, it can be seen that when a firelog 36 issupported on firelog-receiving surface 68, fire starters 70 may be slidinto shelves 66 so that they lie a spaced distance D (FIG. 11) underfirelog 36. A wood log or artificial firelog may be positioned onfirelog-receiving surface 68. Artificial firelogs are manufactured froma combination of wax, sawdust and other combustible materials. Thecombustible wax mixture 76 is covered by a paper wrapper 78 and an airlayer 80 is formed between mixture 76 and wrapper 78. When firelog 36 ispositioned on firelog-receiving surface 68, it is preferably placed sothat the bottom surface 36 a of firelog 36 rests on first sections 44 aof bars 44. Additionally, rear surface 36 b of firelog 36 is preferablyplaced into contact with projections 56 of rear member 42. This causesthe paper wrapper 78 to be pushed into contact with the bottom surface36 a and rear surface 36 b of firelog 36, causing the air layer 80 inthese areas to be squeezed out from between paper wrapper 80 and mixture76. A fire lighter, such as a match 82, is used to ignite thecombustible material in fire starters 70 (FIG. 12). The flames 84 fromfire starters 70 cause the paper wrapper 78 to ignite and begin to burn.The front area 78 a of paper wrapper 78 tends to catch fire first as airis free to circulate between paperwrapper 78 and the mixture 76 in thisarea of the firelog 36. The lack of air between the bottom surface 36 a,rear surface 36 b and paper wrapper 78 slows down the ignition of thepaper wrapper and mixture 76 in those regions of the firelog 36. Theflames 84 from fire starter 70 and flames 86 from paper wrapper 78therefore tend to wrap around the front surface 36 c of firelog 36giving an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the burning firelog.Mixture 76 catches fire and the entire firelog 36 burns. As may be seenfrom FIG. 14, paper wrapper 78 remains at least partially intact aroundbottom surface 36 a and rear surface 36 b of firelog 36 as the firstsections 44 a and projections 56 protect those sections of wrapper 78from being immediately reached by flames 84 and 86. As such, paperwrapper 78, bottom surface 36 a and rear surface 36 b of firelog 36ignite less quickly than the front surface 36 c of firelog 36 as aresult of their contact with first sections 44 a and projections 56. Asfirst sections 44 a and projections 56 retain wrapper 78 adjacent bottomsurface 36 a and rear surface 36 b of firelog 36, the flame is forced totravel around front surface 36 c of firelog 36 assuring that the frontsurface 36 c is the primary surface which is ignited. This causesfirelog 36 to burn significantly slower than if the entire log wasengulfed in flames 86. Additionally, the majority of the flames 86 whichare viewable by the observer are positioned on the front surface 36 c offirelog 36 such that the majority of the aesthetics associated with theburning of firelog 36 is viewable by the observer. The grate of thepresent invention thus assures that not only will firelog 36 burn longerthan if the entire firelog were engulfed in flames 86, but the majorityof the flames 86 are accurately positioned to assure that the leastamount of firelog is consumed while providing flames at the mostaesthetically pleasing location. However, eventually, paper wrapper 78and mixture 76 is completely alight and firelog 36 burns away. Firstsections 44 a support the firelog 36 as it burns away and assists inpreventing premature disintegration of firelog 36 thereby tending toreduce the hazard caused by the disintegrating firelog 36.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a second embodiment of the fireloggrate in accordance with the present invention is shown. In this secondembodiment, the firelog grate is generally referred to by the number132. In the second embodiment, grate 132 includes a front member 140 anda rear member 142 that are joined together by a plurality of transversebars 144 in the same manner as the first embodiment. First sections 144a of bars 144 form a firelog-receiving surface 168 and second sections144 b of bars 144 assist in preventing firelogs (not shown) from rollingoff said surface 168. Front member 140 includes a substantially straightupper section 146 with legs 148 extending downwardly from either endthereof. Log-retaining projections 156 extend above firelog-receivingsurface 168 while rear legs 154 extend downwardly therefrom. A shelf 166is disposed below bars 144, a distance E away from firelog-receivingsurface 168. Shelf 166 is formed from a plurality of generally L-shapedstruts 162 that are connected at one end to the upper section (notshown) of rear member 142. Struts 162 extend forwardly toward frontmember 140. A front rail 188 connects the front ends of struts 162together. A side rail 190 is disposed at either end of the plurality ofstruts 162. Side rails 190 are each connected at one end to rear member144 and at the other end to front rail 188 This provides additionalrigidity to the shelf 166. In use, one or more fire starters (not shown)may be slid onto struts 162. As with the first embodiment, the firestarters define a groove that is configured to the cross-sectional shapeof the struts 162. The groove and struts interlock to secure the firestarters thereon and are thereby substantially prevented from slippingoff shelf 166. The second embodiment of the invention functions in asimilar manner to the first embodiment.

[0036] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used forbrevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are tobe implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art becausesuch terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to bebroadly construed.

[0037] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A firelog grate comprising: a rear member; a front member; aplurality of spaced apart bars connecting the rear member to the frontmember, whereby said rear member, front member and bars form a cradlethat is adapted to hold a firelog, said cradle including afirelog-receiving surface and an underside; a plurality of legsextending from the underside of said cradle, said legs being adapted tosupport the cradle above the floor of a fireplace; at least one shelfconnected to the cradle, said shelf being disposed below the undersideof the cradle and being adapted to hold at least one fire starter forigniting the firelog held on the firelog-receiving surface.
 2. A fireloggrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shelf comprises at least onestrut that is connected at a first end to the rear member and extendsforwardly toward the front member.
 3. A firelog grate as set forth inclaim 2, wherein the strut is substantially L-shaped when viewed fromthe side.
 4. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 2, wherein the struthas a cross-sectional shape that is configured to interlock with agroove formed in the fire starter.
 5. A firelog grate as set forth inclaim 4, wherein the strut is substantially square-shaped incross-section.
 6. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 2, wherein thestrut has a second end and the second end is connected to the frontmember.
 7. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 6, wherein the frontmember includes a shaped segment that extends below the underside of thecradle.
 8. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 7, wherein the secondend of the strut connects to the shaped segment of the front member. 9.A firelog grate as set forth in claim 8, wherein the shaped segment issubstantially U-shaped.
 10. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 9,wherein said shelf further comprises at least one bracket disposedbetween said front member and said rear member, said bracket beingconnected between a pair of adjacent bars and said strut is passesthrough and is connected to said bracket.
 11. A firelog grate as setforth in claim 10, wherein said bracket lies substantially parallel tothe shaped segment on the front member.
 12. A firelog grate as set forthin claim 11, wherein said bracket is substantially U-shaped.
 13. Afirelog grate as set forth in claim 2, wherein the strut has a secondend and the shelf further comprises: a front rail connected to thesecond end of the strut; a pair of side rails disposed on either side ofthe strut, said side rails each being connected at one end to the rearmember and at the other end to the front rail.
 14. A firelog grate asset forth in claim 13, wherein the strut is substantially L-shaped whenviewed from the side.
 15. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 14,wherein the strut has a cross-sectional shape that is configured tointerlock with a groove formed in the fire starter.
 16. A firelog grateas set forth in claim 17, wherein the strut is substantiallysquare-shaped in cross-section.
 17. A firelog grate as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the rear member includes a plurality of projectionsthat extend upwardly from the firelog-receiving surface, saidprojections being adapted to prevent a firelog from rolling off thefirelog-receiving surface.
 18. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 17,wherein the projections are substantially U-shaped.
 19. A firelog grateas set forth in claim 18, wherein the projections each define a spacetherein, whereby the projections are adapted to allow partialair-circulation through said spaces.
 20. A firelog grate as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said bars are substantially J-shaped when viewed fromthe side, the bar having a first section and a second section.
 21. Afirelog grate as set forth in claim 20, wherein the first section ofeach bar is wider than said second section.
 22. A firelog grate as setforth in claim 21, wherein said first section of each bar is connectedto the rear member.
 23. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 21,wherein said second section of each bar is connected to the frontmember.
 24. A firelog grate as set forth in claim 23, wherein saidsecond section includes a portion that extends upwardly and forwardlyaway from the front member, said portion being adapted to prevent afirelog from rolling off the firelog-receiving surface
 25. Incombination, a firelog grate and a fire starter for use therewith,wherein said firelog grate comprises: a rear member; a front member; aplurality of spaced apart bars connecting the rear member to the frontmember, whereby said rear member, front member and bars form a cradlethat is adapted to hold a firelog, said cradle including afirelog-receiving surface and an underside; a plurality of legsextending from the underside of said cradle, said legs being adapted tosupport the cradle above the floor of a fireplace; at least one shelfconnected to the cradle, said shelf being disposed below the undersideof the cradle; said shelf having at least one strut that is connected ata first end to the rear member and extends forwardly toward the frontmember; and said fire starter comprises a body molded from a mixture ofat least wax and sawdust; said fire starter having a bottom surface,said bottom surface defining a groove configured to the cross-sectionalshape of the strut, whereby the fire starter is receivable on the strut.26. The combination of claim 25, wherein the strut is substantiallyL-shaped when viewed from the side.